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Christianity In CrisisToo many Christian churches and those who claim their history are not faithful to Scripture. Is this news? Unlikely. Is it true? It's been true for decades, perhaps a century. It is a persisting condition that is now the accepted norm in too many churches, denominations and seminaries. These books serve to call Christians back to their historic roots. Who might be interested in these concerns? Christians. Church members and pastors who have an interest in theology, or who are concerned about the deteriorating condition of the churches. Anyone interested in Christianity, contemporary or historic, will find much grist for the mill here—whether you prefer the Reformed perspective and are a student of Calvinism, or prefer Arminianism and are a student of Charles Finney, or C.I. Scofield, whether your are conservative or liberal. In fact, part of the problem is that the conservative/liberal dichotomy is inadequate to our current situation, and continued reliance upon it only serves to dig the hole deeper. If you like the Puritans, Puritan history or are a student of Puritanism, you'll love these books. Regardless of your church affiliation you will find that we have much to talk about because, if you are a born-again Christian, your spiritual and historical roots are here. Those most likely to benefit from these books are Christian seminary students and church leaders (pastors and elders). Why? Because here you will find a renewed understanding of the historic, Protestant perspective and see how it interacts with various popular movements and concerns like liberalism and its takeover of the Old Mainline traditions, Theonomy and the concerns about theocracy, the Emergent movement and its ties to liberalism, and others. Our concern is the role of orthodox doctrine and the unity and peace of the churches, the basis upon which such unity and peace are founded, and how best to be the church in the midst of the continuing Halfway Covenant crisis of faith that is bleeding the churches to death. The recent development and failure of the Church Growth Movement has added greatly to these problems. Honest self-analysis is the first step to the recovery of the distinctively Christian mission in the world. But we must be cautious because a prescription without a proper diagnosis can be harmful. What Can Be Done?The first thing to do is to see the problem. That is what these books are about, helping people see the problem. That's why they is not popular and why they seems so out of step. The world does not want us to see what the Bible is trying to show us because the perspective of the Bible threatens the perspective of the world. But if we can't see the problem, we cannot find a solution. If we don't understand the disease, we cannot prescribe a remedy. The world is in denial, so seeing the problem, putting the problem in the correct context — its biblical context, is everything. more>> Statement of FaithBy grace Through Faith In Christ It all begins with grace…Grace is the unmerited privilege of receiving God's favor or blessing. Grace is given by God to produce faith. Faith produces obedience. Obedience produces understanding. Understanding produces growth in faith. And issues from God's sovereignty…God, in His sovereignty, has determined the eternal destination of every person before time itself. But such knowledge is beyond human understanding. Because of the limitations of human beings, the gospel is couched in such a way as to appeal to the perception of free will in sinners. Because God predestines some people to salvation, believers seek to understand God's Word. It's beyond our ability…All people are completely unable to save themselves. Sinners struggle against God, but cannot bring about salvation. But not God's…God bestows His grace upon whomever He chooses. People cannot cause God to give grace. God's grace has already been given to His people from eternity. However, God's grace causes the faithful to desire to satisfy Him with their obedience. The Holy Spirit inspires the faithful to desire to fulfill the conditions of God's covenant. Obeying God involves proclaiming salvation in Jesus Christ to all people. Christ already accomplished it…The death of Christ on the cross provides atonement for all true believers. God is perfect and makes no errors. Many sinners do not receive God's grace and salvation. Therefore, the atonement is effective only for those who are actually saved. Faith means trusting God personally for one's own salvation, and that Christ's atonement (sacrifice) applies to "me" personally. Christ's atonement works for "whoever believes." God doesn't make mistakes…Those whom God truly calls are elected and saved in fact, because God is perfect and makes no errors. But because sinners doubt God, they think that their own power is greater than God's, and that they are able to resist God's Holy Spirit. Hanging in there…Those whom God truly calls are elect and, in fact, persevere in salvation because God is perfect and makes no errors. Because sinners doubt God, they believe that the world of circumstances is more powerful than God, and can doubt their salvation. But because God saves, and God is all-powerful, His saving is final. Obedience to God's Word (Bible) provides assurance of salvation. |
![]() Name: Rev. Phillip Ross Location: 149 E. Spring St. Marietta, Ohio 45750 United States Phone: 740-376-9827 E-mail: lulu@paross.com Send this user a message. |
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